Abu Camp is located in the heart of the
Okavango Delta, and offers an utterly
unique way to experience the natural
surroundings. Unlike other companies
that transport guests in landrovers, Abu
camp offers safaris by elephant-back. It
provides an opportunity to become involved
with the elephants on a personal
level by feeding, swimming and mudbathing
them. This is, by all accounts, a
rare and humbling experience.

The owners wished to update and expand
their camp so that guests would
have the possibility to sleep near the elephants.
They commissioned the design
of two platforms to be perched over the
elephant enclosure enabling guests to
"lie under the incredible canopy of stars,
and be lulled to sleep by the contented
rumbling and low snores of the gentle giants
below".

The design was intended to be simple,
using local and natural materials. Each
unit consists of a raised sleeping platform
and to ensure complete comfort a
bathroom, including an open shower, is
found on the tier below the top deck. The
structure had to be inconspicuous to wildlife,
integrate with the surrounding area
and adhere to the aesthetic prescribed
by the existing lodges.